B.C.’s children’s watchdog is desperately pleading with the government to close a loophole that may have led to an infant’s death in 2007.
On April 16 of that year, the child’s caregiver returned home to find the child unresponsive. He died in hospital.
Though the cause of death — ruled a sudden unexpected death in infancy — could not be determined, Representative for Children and Youth Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond says the child’s history with social workers was one of “confusion and chaos.”
According to Turpel-Lafond’s report, the child’s file switched hands five times between a delegated aboriginal agency and the Ministry of Children and Family Development, as the mother, who had known drug addiction issues and two other children taken away, frequently moved onto and off of a reserve.
A dizzying 16 social workers worked on the case over a year and various plans were drawn up for seven potential caregivers.
Despite having grave concerns about the eventual caregiver — a relative with a criminal record — neither agency was present or filed documents in court when a decision was made. The only information the judge had was the mother’s own consent.
Turpel-Lafond is urging the government to revise the Family Relations Act to ensure judges can access critical information about any proposed guardians.
“It’s a loophole in the family law system and this isn’t the only case like this. I want that fixed. Let’s not let people undermine the system,” said Turpel-Lafond.
Minister Mary McNeil said many of Turpel-Lafond’s recommendations are being followed up on.
“It’s more difficult for this to happen today. (The report) validates we’re on the right track.”
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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